98 HISTORY OF THE 



downy plumage at that time. It is extremely common from the 

 mouth of the Kuskoquine Eiver to the head of Kotzebue Sound, 

 nesting everywhere; thence north to the extreme Arctic coast 

 of the Territory. Wherever one goes, in suitable places, this 

 bird is certain to be found." 



Genus BRANTA Scopoli. 



"With much the same form throughout as the species of Anser, those beloug- 

 ing to the geuus Branta are distinguished by the darker plumage, with the head 

 and neck chiefly black, and the bill and feet entirely deep black, at all ages." 



Branta canadensis (Linn.). 



CANADA GOOSE. 

 PLATE VIII. 



Common migrants. A few remain during the winter, retir- 

 ing only when the extreme cold weather closes their watery re- 

 sorts; leave in March. 



B. 567. R. 594. C. 702. G. 279, 44. U. 172. 



Habitat. Temperate North America, breeding in the north- 

 ern United States and British provinces; south in winter to 

 Mexico. 



Sp. Char. ^^ Adult: Head and neck deep black, the former with a white 

 patch covering the throat and extending up over the cheeks to behind the eyes, 

 growing gradually narrower above, the upper outline usually more or less trun- 

 cated; tliis white patch, however, sometimes interrupted on the throat by a nar- 

 row black stripe or isthmus. Very rarely, a broad white baud more or less 

 distinctly indicated, crosses the forehead between the eyes. Upper surface 

 grayish brown, varying from almost cinereous to umber, each feature bordered 

 terminally by a paler shade; lower parts witli the exposed surface of about the 

 same shade as the tips of the feathers of the upper parts, the concealed por- 

 tion of the feathers of the shade of the prevailing color above — this much ex- 

 ])Osed along the sides and on the flanks. Primaries and their coverts plain 

 dusky, the former growing nearly black terminally. Anal region, crissum and 

 lower tail coverts immaculate pure white. Tail plain deep black; rump plain 

 blackish slate. Bill and feet deep black. Young: Similar to the adult, but the 

 colors duller, the markings less sharply defined; black of the neck passing 

 gradually below into the grayish of the jugulum; white cheek patches usually 

 finely speckled with dusky; light colored tips to the contour feathers, broader. 

 Downy young: Above, including an occipital patch, golden olive green; beneath, 

 pale, greenish ochre, the head rather deeper." 



